News
Middle District Court to Review Documents Now Under Seal
According to an email sent out by the Middle District, the Court is going to re-evaluate previously sealed docket entries and may modify their status as sealed documents. Reporters might be interested to take a look back at past cases to…
Read MoreAmanda Martin to Speak to NC Chapter of Public Relations Society of America
On September 16, 2015, SMVT partner Amanda Martin will give the NCPRSA Development Luncheon talk, Public or Protected: Copyright Law and Compliance.
Read MoreIf lawmakers get their way, police video wouldn’t be public record
The Gaston Gazette is now reporting on a bill in the state legislature that would categorize police video as a record of a criminal investigation, which means it would not be a public record. Our site previously posted about coverage of…
Read MoreBuncombe County commissioners vote to approve confidentiality agreement in contravention of public records law
The Asheville Citizen-Times has reported a decision by four Buncombe county commissioners to sign a nondisclosure agreement as part of efforts to land an employer. The agreement prevents signatories from revealing details about the company’s operations. The Citizen-Times quotes SMVT attorney…
Read MorePolice body-cam video would not be public record under NC bill
The News & Observer has reported on a bill proposing changes to the state’s treatment of boy and dash camera records. House Bill 713, which passed 115-2 last week, would restrict public access to the cameras. Under the proposed law, proposed…
Read MoreFBI refuses to release information on “feminine hygiene product” Patrick Cannon used as pretext to accept bribe
WFAE has reported that the FBI has refused to release information about a “feminine hygiene product” former Charlotte mayor Patrick Cannon claimed to want to develop. The product was used as a pretext to accept a bribe from an undercover FBI…
Read MoreFayetteville police refuse to release police dash cam video of officer-involved shooting
The Fayetteville Observer has reported that the Fayetteville police have refused to release a police dashboard camera video that may have captured an officer shooting a man as he fled in 2013. The article discusses the public records law and its…
Read MoreMore taxpayer accountability needed for charters
The Asheville Citizen-Times writes that charter schools in North Carolina, while intended to be free from some regulation, should be required to open their records to scrutiny from taxpayers. The Citizen-Times quotes SMVT attorney Mike Tadych: Mike Tadych, an attorney…
Read MoreCharlotte lawsuit pits reality TV feud against freedom of speech
The Charlotte Observer has reported on a lawsuit between a reality TV show personality and his critics (some of whom are also on television). The article explains that the judge is expected to “ban future Facebook postings attacking” the plaintiff’s military…
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